Thursday, July 29, 2010

Amélie's First Photo Session

I adore my baby. I am totally in love! I cannot get enough of her and I hope you all don't mind the pictures because this is just the beginning. 


After Amélie arrived and we finally made it home, I promptly emailed our fabulous photographer from our maternity shoot, Nicole Hoxie, to inform her that our little one was here! We booked the shoot for the 12th day of Amélie's life since it's easier for Nicole to work with itty bitty sleepy babies, but our girl only slept for the first half of the poses. Yet, I could not be more in love with the sneak peak Nicole posted today on her blog. I cannot wait to get our CD with the rest of the pictures!

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I love her!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Bean Birth Story: Part Two

I expected a great deal of pain as I imagined the needle penetrating the skin in my back. It was nothing close to being painful. It was the faintest of pains. It was the kind of pain I'd wince at for a second but never think twice of. My fears subsided as I imagined the opportunity for my future contractions to be eliminated with the constant drip of a drug, yet I still hoped that it wouldn't be necessary. I got my last look at the black, red, and green Nikes as the anesthesiologist exited and left me with the nurse offering me the first dose of drugs to induce my labor.

A quarter of an itty bitty pill was all it took. The nurse, just as I expected, gave me a thorough explanation of what would be taking place. This pill would begin to thin out my cervix and could potentially be administered every four hours until I was at the point where pitocin could be used.

One dose and the cramping and mild contractions began. The pain of the surges was almost non-existent and I chatted, laughed, ate dinner, and blogged about our exciting news. This I could handle all night at the frequency of 2 and a half minutes. During the seven hours that followed, the hubby made a visit to our place to collect our bags that were not fully prepared and came with the abuelito in tow. We were really on our way to becoming parents.

At ten in the evening the tall female doctor announced that it was time for the next step. A foley catheter would be inserted to continue the good progress I was making. She showed me the tool and again explained the process thoroughly to ease my fears as I'm sure she couldn't ignore the look on my face. I winced as I imagined a balloon expanding inside me and once it was inserted, there was no doubt my original fears about the foley catheter were not without warrant. The contractions immediately increased and became much more uncomfortable. I had to take the time to breath through each one while the hubby held my hand tightly and guided me. This was the start of a long night of watching bad television, no sleep, and increasing pain. The pain only intensified once the catheter was removed at two in the morning.

At 7 in the morning, it was time for some rest. I realized this process was going to take much longer and getting some repose was vital in order to me to make it through what was to come and the pain at that moment was unbearable. The hour I waited for the drugs was one of the longest. Looking back I believe I questioned where the anesthesiologist was at least ten times. It was also during this time that during one really painful contraction I felt the warm gush of water on my legs.

"How could it be taking so long when all he has to do is set up the drugs and plug it in?! Where is he!?"

Twenty minutes after the drugs began, I was finally able to sleep.

It was the best sleep of my life.

The Bean Birth Story: Part One

"We're going to have you stay and we will be inducing you."

The band around my arm that was monitoring my blood pressure since arriving in labor and delivery  about an hour earlier started to constrict my arm in that instant. I quickly turned to look at the hubby who was staring right back at me in disbelief. I could see the excitement in his eyes as he knew he would get to hold our baby a few weeks before schedule. My body experienced an explosion of thoughts and feelings - elation, fear, anticipation, shock, nervousness, happiness... and it became evident to those in the room as the machine alerted us to my extremely high blood pressure. Yet, the only thing that mattered to me in that second was that I was going to meet my daughter and become a mother.

The two doctors that stood before us went into detail about what would be occurring and the consequences linked to the results of my blood tests. Since the previous day, my blood pressure was still maintaining a level considered high for me, proteins were still in my urine although not as high as before, and the platelet count was lower. All this placed me under the classification of being in the early stages of preeclampsia. They said that they preferred to be overcautious and that was why they were going to go the safest route and induce my labor. Then, came something serious to consider- due to my low platelet count it was necessary to decide if I would eventually want an epidural- now. The kind doctors went on to explain  that low platelets meant a possibility of no blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding and thus, before my levels possibly went any lower, I should have the epidural catheter inserted in case I desired to have one later on or if for whatever reason, I needed a cesarean. Otherwise, pain relief in that form would not be an option and being awake during my child's birth would be denied. I would have to be put under.

"An epidural?! A giant needle in my back?! Now, before I've even experienced any pain?!" My blood pressure once again peaked. The alternative of a needle and catheter in my back to the options given was easy enough. "How soon can the anesthesiologist be here?"

Within the hour the door opened and I glanced down at the shoes of the individual coming from behind the curtain. Sneakers. Black, red, and green. Nikes. This was something I did every. single. time. until our bean arrived. I wanted to know who to expect before seeing a face. The shoes really told me a lot about the person arriving. The anesthesiologist came in and I realized we had met during one of our classes at Kaiser. Tall and goofy with a slight stutter. Our sweet nurse rolled her eyes at his nonchalant manner about something serious like an epidural and the mood in the room was light and full of excitement.

These moments- the bonnet on my head to keep my hair out of the way, my back and rear clearly exposed, the joking but very qualified young anesthesiologist, and the smiles and laughs between the hubby and me are very clear in my mind. It was the beginning.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Introducing...



We are in love. She is perfection in every way. We can't take our eyes off her and are in awe of her every movement, sound, and adorable facial expression.

We finally made it home yesterday on a beautiful afternoon. Details about welcoming our girl and what followed will come in the next few days if I can find the time to stop staring and kissing her. We're all doing great!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Bean Status: two

I've been moving along nicely with the help of drugs and a weird bubble thing in my vagina. Since starting With all of those nice little helpers, I had over twelve hours of cramping to very, very painful contractions. Since the epidural catheter was already inserted, I demanded the drugs. I quickly fell into a deep sleep. I'm saving all my energy for the final part. I'm currently at six diameter, fully effaced, and my bag of waters broke naturally at 8 this morning. The doctors have all said we're moving along quickly for having been induced. They have also predicted our bean is definitely over 7 lbs. She is most definitely cooked.

I'm feeling pretty good right now, aside from some little cramping randomly. Thank goodness for the epidural!

I will probably update once the bean is here!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Bean Status: one

Okay. I just had a full out post with a detailed explanation of what's happening and now it's gone. Ummmm... Here's the gist.

- in the hospital waiting to have my baby!!!
- getting induced because of preeclampsia. Poo.
- got the IV in and the epidural catheter in because of low platelet count. No drugs in back, just a bunch of tape. No one told me I'd get a free waxing with labor and delivery!
- will have our bean in less than two whole days! Whaaa....

I'll be updating as long as I can and then they'll probably become facebook posts.